88 trooper lower ball joints

External Since: Jun 22, 2007 Posts: 2

Hi,

I got an 88 trooper to move a small boat a few miles from home to the ramp
and an occasional load of lumber. To pass the safety inspection here in
Maine I need to replace the lower ball joints. I can see they won't clear
the outer CV joint that is up against the spindle casting. Do I need to
totally remove the drive axle (not worth the trouble) or is there a way to
push the joint away from the spindle to alow the ball joint to lift out.
If the Haynes manual is correct removing the axle means lots of dissasembly
and given the age probably much cursing , wailing and gnashing of teeth.

TIA

Tim O

External Since: Jun 22, 2007 Posts: 2

The Haynes manual , as is so often the case, was useless here. What was
needed was to remove the hub assembly, reemove the circlip on the axel end
after which the spindle slides free of the axel, pivoting on the tie rod
and upper joint away from the cv joint enough for the lower ball joint to
come out. Without air tools it took me about an hour each side.